Spray shield

ABSTRACT

A polymeric spray shield assembly adapted to be connected to a support frame moved over plants growing in spaced rows from the earth and to be moved along the earth between the rows of plants while liquids such as herbicides not intended for contact with the plants in the rows are sprayed onto weeds between the rows of plants. The spray shield assembly comprises a polymeric spray shield having an inner surface defining a channel opening through an open side and front and rear ends of the spray shield, a top wall portion being adapted to have means attached thereto for suspending the spray shield from the support frame and through openings adapted to receive connector assemblies through which liquids are sprayed into the spray shield, and dependent opposite side wall portions. Stiff polymeric slotted end closure sheets are attached across the open front and rear ends of said channel to help retain the spray. Spaced weed knock down bars extend between the opposite side wall portions adjacent the open side of the channel and are adjustable to afford spacing the side wall portions at different distances.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of Ser. No. 08/133,604, filed Oct. 8,1993 and now U.S. Pat. No. 5,371,969.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to spray shields used in spray shieldassemblies adapted to be moved over or adjacent plants so as totemporarily enclose or protect them when liquids or agriculturalchemicals are sprayed, thereby helping to insure that a high percentageof the sprayed liquids are deposited where they are intended to besprayed rather than being blown away or onto adjacent plants.

BACKGROUND ART

Known are several spray shield assemblies adapted to be moved overplants being grown in rows in a field so as to temporarily enclose themwhen liquids or agricultural chemicals are sprayed onto the plants,thereby helping to insure that a high percentage of the sprayed liquidsare deposited on or around the plants intended to be sprayed rather thanbeing blown away or onto adjacent plants. Such spray shields have beensold by Ryan Manufacturing, Box 239, Newark, Ill. 60541 and HinikerCompany, P.O. Box 3407, Mankato, Minn. 56001, and are described in U.S.Pat. Nos. 4,947,581 and 5,155,933.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

The present invention provides a simple and effective spray shieldassembly that is adapted to be connected to a support frame moved overplants being grown in spaced rows from the earth and to be moved alongthe earth between the rows of plants while liquids such as herbicides(e.g., the herbicide commercially available as "Roundup" from Monsanto)not intended for contact with the plants in the rows are sprayed in aband onto weeds between the rows of plants over which the spray shieldassembly passes.

The spray shield assembly according to the present invention comprises:

(1) a polymeric spray shield having an inner surface defining a channelopening through an open side and the front and rear axially spaced endsof the spray shield, which spray shield comprises (a) opposite axiallyextending side wall portions defining opposite portions of the innersurface; and (b) an axially extending top wall portion between the sidewall portions defining the portion of the inner surface opposite theopen side, the top wall portion being adapted to have means attachedthereto for suspending the spray shield from the support frame andhaving through openings adapted to receive connector assemblies thatposition spray nozzles adjacent the inner surface of the top wallportion; (2) stiff polymeric end closure sheets across the open ends ofthe channel at the front and rear ends of the spray shield, the closuresheets including vertically extending side by side flap portionsextending toward the open side of the channel; and (3) elongate knockdown bars extending between and having opposite ends attached to theopposite side wall portions adjacent the open side of the channel ingenerally parallel axially spaced relationship, the knock down barscomprising means affording adjustment of their length within apredetermined range (e.g., plus or minus 2 inches with respect to thenormal positions of the side wall portions) to afford spacing the sidewall portions at different predetermined distances.

With this combination, weeds over which the spray shield assembly passescan be effectively sprayed with liquids such as herbicides, the sprayedliquid will be retained within the spray shield, large weeds and/orobstacles along the earth can, if necessary, move through the slottedend closure sheets, large weeds will be knocked down by the knock downbars so that they will be effectively coated by the sprayed liquid, andthe width of the spray shield assembly can be adjusted within limits toan appropriate width to spray the majority of the weeds in a bandbetween spaced rows of plants.

The top wall portion may have different through openings adapted toreceive the connector assemblies and to position the spray nozzles inthe connector assemblies at different attitudes that may be desired tospray different patterns to accommodate different widths between theside wall portions caused by adjusting the lengths of the knock downbars.

The spray shield can include a diverging front end portion with an outersurface adapted to lift and move crops around the sides of the sprayshield.

The spray shield assembly may include skid members projecting past theedges of the side wall portions opposite the top wall portion that areadapted to slide along the earth over which the spray shield assembly isbeing moved to facilitate movement of the spray shield assembly betweenrows of plants.

Also, novel means are provided for attaching connector assemblies to thespray shield when the connector assemblies of a known type that holdspray nozzles and have rectangular four sided peripheries about theiraxes and radially outwardly projecting flanges positioned on oppositeaxially spaced sides of their rectangular periphery.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING

The present invention will be further described with reference to theaccompanying drawing wherein like reference numerals refer to like partsin the several views, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a plurality of spray shield assembliesaccording to the present invention shown attached to a frame mounted ona tractor;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a spray shieldassembly according to the present invention, which is the embodiment ofthe spray shield assemblies illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the spray shield assembly shown in FIG. 2 fromwhich means for suspending the spray shield assembly and liquiddistribution and spraying means have been removed;

FIG. 4 is a top view of the spray shield assembly shown in FIG. 2 fromwhich means for suspending the spray shield assembly and liquiddistribution and spraying means have been removed;

FIG. 5 is a front view of the spray shield assembly shown in FIG. 2 fromwhich means for suspending the spray shield assembly and liquiddistribution and spraying means have been removed;

FIG. 6 is a rear view of the spray shield assembly shown in FIG. 2 fromwhich means for suspending the spray shield assembly and liquiddistribution and spraying means have been removed;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken approximately along lines 7--7 of FIG.3;

FIG. 8 is an exploded and enlarged fragmentary view of a connectorassembly included in the spray shield assembly as shown in FIG. 2 and aportion of the spray shield to which it is attached;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary sectional view of the connector assembly shownin FIG. 8 taken approximately along the line 9--9 of FIG. 8 after theparts illustrated therein are assembled;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a spray shieldassembly according to the present invention; and

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of a spray shieldassembly according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the drawing, there is shown in FIGS. 2 through 9 aspray shield assembly 10 according to the present invention whichincludes a spray shield 24. FIG. 1 shows a plurality of such sprayshield assemblies 10 attached to a frame 11 mounted on a tractor 12 inparallel positions in which the spray shield assemblies 10 can be movedby the tractor 12 between rows of crops or plants being raised in fieldto temporarily enclose weeds between the rows of crops or plants whileliquids such as herbicides are sprayed onto the weeds through the sprayshield assemblies 10 by a pumping system 13 carried by the tractor 12.

The spray shield assembly 10 includes liquid distribution and sprayingmeans including a hollow four way connector assembly 15 that has threeprojecting hose barbs and a projecting portion adapted to be fastened ina through opening 16 in a spray shield 24 by means later to be explainedand to position a liquid outlet nozzle included in the connectorassembly 15 inside the spray shield 24 (e.g., a nozzle of the typeprovided under the trademark "TeeJet" by Spraying Systems Co., Wheaton,Ill.). The liquid distribution and spraying means also includes twoL-shaped connector assemblies 17 each having a hose barb and aprojecting portion adapted to be fastened in one of two openings 18a or18b in the spray shield 24 by means later to be explained and toposition a liquid outlet nozzle included in each connector assembly 17inside the spray shield 24, a hose 19 connecting the central hose barbon the connector assembly 15 to the pumping system 13 on the tractor 12,and two hoses 21 and 22 connected between hose barbs on the connectorassembly 15 and the hose barbs on the L-shaped connector assemblies 17.

The spray shield 24 has a generally U-shaped cross section and is madeof generally uniformly thick resiliently flexible polymeric material(e.g., made of about 0.21 inch thick polypropylene). The spray shield 24is preferably made by spin or rotary molding to form two of the sprayshields 24 together as a generally cylindrical part, and by then cuttingthe spray shields 24 from each other, but could also be made byinjection molding. The spray shield 24 has an axis 25 and defines anaxially extending channel opening through one open side 26 and front andrear axially spaced ends 27, 28 of the spray shield 24, in which channelthe weeds are temporarily positioned as the spray shield 24 is movedover them.

The spray shield 24 includes a leading portion 30 that is generallyU-shaped or semi-octagonal in cross section and diverges axially fromadjacent the front end 27 toward the rear end 28 of the spray shield 24(e.g., at an angle in the range of about twenty to forty degrees (e.g.,about thirty degrees) with respect to the axis 25) so that its outersurface will, if necessary, help lift and direct portions of plantsalong adjacent rows away from the channel through the spray shield 24.The spray shield 24 also includes a generally U-shaped or semi-octagonalportion 32 extending from the end of the diverging leading portion 30opposite the front end 27 of the spray shield 24 toward the rear end 28of the spray shield 24. The generally semi-octagonal portion 32 hasaxially spaced circumferentially extending rib-like reinforcing portions31 spaced along its length. The rib-like reinforcing portions 31 haveV-shaped cross sections, with their leading outer surfaces beinginclined at an angle so that they will help to lift and direct portionsof plants along adjacent rows away from the hoses 19, 21 and 22 and theconnector assemblies 15 and 17. The generally semi-octagonal portion 32includes spaced opposite generally planar side wall portions 34 havingopposed inner surfaces partially defining the inner surface of the sprayshield 24; and a top wall portion 35 including an elongate axiallyextending generally planer central part 36 adapted, by having tworecessed areas between side bosses 37, to have means (later to beexplained) attached thereto for suspending the spray shield assembly 10from the support frame 11 with the open side 26 of the channel adjacentthe earth. The top wall portion 35 also includes flanking downwardlydepending parts 38 between the central part 36 and the side wallportions 34. The spray shield 24 has spaced generally parallel bottomedges 39 along the side wall portions 34 that define the open side 26 ofthe channel.

The top wall portion 35 of the spray shield 24 also includes a pluralityof generally planar anchor parts in which the through openings 16 or 18aor 18b are positioned. The anchor part in which the through opening 16is positioned is generally central of the central part 36 of the topwall portion 35 and is disposed at a right angle to with respect to animaginary plane containing the axis 25 of the spray shield 24 andbisecting the spray shield 24 by passing centrally through the top wallportion 35 and the open side of the spray shield 24. The anchor parts inwhich the through openings 18a or 18b are positioned are spaced axiallyalong each of the flanking parts 38 of the top wall portion 35. Thoseanchor parts have different locations and orientations along the topwall portion 36 to afford positioning the connector assemblies 17 atdifferent advantageous locations with respect to the open side 26 of thespray shield 24 to accommodate different widths between the side wallportions 34 caused by adjustable knock down bars 62 later to beexplained. Each of the anchor parts has generally parallel inner andouter surfaces which can be engaged by the connector assembly 15 or 17so that the axis of the nozzle in that connector assembly 15 or 17 isoriented at a right angle with respect to the surfaces of the anchorpart.

The nozzle anchor parts are in two sets, one set having the throughopenings 16 and 18a and the other set having the through openings 16 and18b, with one of the nozzle anchor parts in each set being on adifferent one of the opposite flanking parts 38 of the top wall portion35, and one being along its central part 36. The through openings 18aand 18b in the nozzle anchor parts on the flanking parts 38 of the topwall portion 35 are spaced generally the same distance from oppositesides of the central part 36, and are spaced axially of the spray shield24 on opposite sides of the through opening 16 in the anchor part on thecentral part 36 to restrict interference with liquid spray beingdischarged from the nozzles mounted in those anchor parts. The generallyparallel inner and outer surfaces of the anchor parts having theopenings 18a or 18b in each set are disposed generally at the same anglewith respect to the imaginary plane containing the axis 25 of the sprayshield 24 and bisecting the spray shield 24 by passing centrally throughthe top wall portion 35 and the open side of the spray shield 24.

As can best be seen in FIGS. 8 and 9 that illustrate one of theconnector assemblies 17 engaged with one of the through openings 18a or18b, the connector assemblies 15 and 17 are of a known type (i.e., aconnector assembly commercially designated "Quick Teejet Nozzle systemsfor Dry Booms" available from Spraying Systems Co., Wheaton, Ill.)having a rectangular four sided periphery 42 about the axis of theconnector assembly 15 or 17 and spaced radially outwardly projectingflanges 43 having predetermined maximum peripheral dimensions, whichflanges 43 are positioned on opposite axially spaced sides of therectangular periphery 42. The through openings 16 and 18 each include aretaining portion 44 defined by three surfaces adapted to closelyreceive three of the four sides of the periphery 42 of the nozzleassembly 15 or 17 with the spaced flanges 43 of the nozzle assembly 15or 17 adjacent the inner and outer surfaces of the anchor part in whichthe through opening 16 or 18 is formed. The through openings 16 and 18also include a semi-circular entrance portion 45 larger in diameter thanthe periphery of the flanges 43 on the side of the retaining portion 44not defined by the three surfaces. The entrance portion 45 affords axialmovement of the rectangular periphery 42 of the connector assembly 15 or17 into the through opening 16 or 18 to a position where it may be slidradially into the retaining portion 44 of the opening 16 or 18. Thespray shield assembly 10 further includes an attachment plate 47 havinga retaining edge surface 48 adapted to be positioned in a retainingposition between one of the inner and outer surfaces of the anchor part(preferably the outer surface as illustrated) and the adjacent flange 43of the connector assembly 15 or 17 when the connector assembly 15 or 17is in the retaining portion 44 of the opening 16 or 18 with theretaining edge surface 48 of the attachment plate 47 in the retainingportion across the side of the retaining portion 44 not defined by thethree surfaces. Means in the form of a bolt 49 is provided forreleasably retaining the attachment plate 47 in its retaining position.Preferably, as illustrated, the attachment plate 47 has a slot openingthrough one edge defined by three surfaces including the retaining edgesurface 48, which three surfaces are adapted to closely receive three ofthe four sides of the periphery 42 of the connector assembly 17, and hasa portion adapted to cover the access portion 45 of the opening 16 or 18when it is in its retaining position.

Nozzles can be mounted by the connector assemblies 15 or 17 in any oneof the through openings 16 or 18a or 18b in the anchor parts to positionthe nozzles with their outlet ends projecting from the inner surface ofthe spray shield 24 to direct spray from the nozzles at desiredorientations and locations relative to the edges 38 and thereby toplants within the spray shield 24. The spray pattern from each nozzlecan further be adapted as desired to the type of plant or location onthe plant at which the spray is to be directed by selecting nozzles thatprovide different spray angles or spray patterns such as a circular orfan like pattern, nozzles with such types of patterns being well knownin the art and available from Spraying Systems Co., Wheaton, Ill.

The central part 36 of the top wall portion 35 also includes a throughopening 55 in which a nozzle with a single inlet can be positionedshould that be desired to provide only a single source of spray in thechannel through the spray shield 24.

The diverging leading portion 30 of the spray shield 24 has edges or camsurfaces 52 extending from the lower edges 39 of the side wall portions34 to the front end 27 of the spray shield 24 that will lift the sprayshield 24 upon engagement of the cam surfaces 52 with an obstacle on theearth, thereby minimizing the impact on the spray shield 24 caused bysuch engagement.

The spray shield 24 has flanges 53 and 54 projecting radially inwardlyat its front and rear ends 27 and 28 respectively, which flanges 45 and46 with the rib-like reinforcing portions 31 spaced along its axis 25restrict spreading of its opposite side wall portions 34 and therebyhelp retain the shape of the spray shield 24 and minimize vibration inthe spray shield 24 when it is in use.

The spray shield assembly includes stiff polymeric end closure sheets 56(e.g., of 0.6 inch thick polyethylene) across the open ends of thechannel at the front and rear ends 27 and 28 of the spray shield 24. Theclosure sheets 56 each include continuous or un-slotted upper portionsadjacent the top wall portion attached by a series of spaced bolt andwasher attachment assemblies 58 to the axially inwardly projectingflanges 53 and 54 at the ends of the spray shield 24, and each haveparallel slots 60 with radiused inner ends defining longitudinal side byside flap portions (e.g., each about 3 inches wide) extending from theirupper portions toward the open side of the channel with the lower ordistal ends of the flap portions slightly higher than, but generallyaligned with the lower or distal edges 39 of the side wall portions 34(e.g., 3 inches higher in front and 2 inches higher in the rear).

The spray shield assembly also includes elongate knock down bars 62extending between opposite side wall portions 34 adjacent the open sideof the channel in axially spaced generally parallel relationship. Theknock down bars 62 have flanges 64 at their opposite ends attached bybolts to the opposite side wall portions 34 at positions slightly abovethe lower edges 39 of the side wall portions 34 (e.g., 4 inches abovethose lower edges 39). The knock down bars 62 comprise means affordingadjustment of their lengths between their ends or flanges 64 within apredetermined range (e.g., at least 4 inches change in length) to affordspacing the lower edges 39 of the side wall portions 34 at differentpredetermined distances (e.g., plus or minus 2 inches with respect totheir normal spacing distance), as may be appropriate for sprayingdifferent width areas or bands of weeds. As illustrated, the meansaffording adjustment of the lengths of the knock down bars 62 betweentheir ends are provided by the elongate knock down bars 62 each includefirst and second overlaying portions 65 having L-shaped cross sections(e.g., the portions being of conventional angle iron) each having one ofthe flanges 64 attached thereto, the overlaying portions 65 having aseries of spaced through openings 66 with certain of those openingsbeing aligned when the end portions 65 overlay different distances, andthe knock down bars 62 including nut and bolt attachment assemblies 68extending through aligned ones of the openings and firmly attaching theoverlaying portions 65 together.

Longitudinal skid members 70 are fastened along the outer sides of theside wall portions 34 by spaced nut and bolt attachment members 72 andhave portions projecting past the distal edges 39 of the side wallportions 34. The portions of the skid members 70 projecting past thedistal edges 39 of the side wall portions 34 have bottom surfaces 74that are straight along their central portions and are radiused adjacenttheir front and rear ends, thereby adapting the skid members 70 to slidealong the earth over which the spray shield assembly 10 is being moved.

Suspension means are also provided that are adapted for suspending thespray shield 24 from the frame 11. The suspension means comprises tworigid bars 76 having first ends 77. The first ends 77 of the bars 76 aremounted for pivotal movement about pivot axes defined by bolts 78 havingU shaped heads that extend through the bars 76 and between the bosses 37projecting from the top wall portion 35 adjacent its front and rear ends27 and 28 respectively, which pivot axes are normal to the axis 25 ofthe spray shield 24 and are generally parallel to a plane defined by thelower edges 39 on the spray shield 24. Second ends 82 of the bars 76opposite their first ends 77 are mounted by bolts or pins between theflanges of a U shaped channel 84 extending axially of the spray shield24 and attached to the frame 11 for pivotal movement about axes definedby the pins or bolts through the ends 82 of the bars 76. Also includedin the suspension means is a first resiliently elastic assembly 88provided by a chain and coil spring that has one end fastened adjacentthe pin through the first end 77 of the bar 76 adjacent the front end 27of the spray shield 24 and an opposite second end attached to thechannel 84 generally centrally between the second ends 82 of the bars;and a second resiliently elastic assembly 89 provided by an elasticrubber cord that has one end fastened adjacent the first end 77 of thebar 76 adjacent the rear end 28 of the spray shield 24 and an oppositesecond end attached to the channel 84 generally centrally between thesecond ends 82 of the bars, which cord 89 is stretched to providetension between its points of attachment. The tensions applied in theresiliently elastic assemblies 88 and 89 are adapted so that the tensionin the first resiliently elastic assembly 88 overcomes the tension inthe second resiliently elastic assembly 89 and normally positions thebars 76 so that straight lines extending through the axes defined by thepins about which the ends 77 and 82 of the bars 76 pivot andintersecting the longitudinal axis 25 of the spray shield 24 will definean acute angle on the side of that intersection adjacent the front end27 of the spray shield 24. (e.g., an acute angle of about 60 degrees)with the bottom surfaces 74 of the skid members 70 spaced about 1 inchfrom the earth. With that arrangement, engagement of the leading edgesof the skid members or the cam edges 52 at the front end 27 of the sprayshield 24 with an object or the ground will cause the spray shield 24 tomove upward and rearward relative to the frame 11 against the biasnormally provided by its weight and the second resiliently elasticassembly 89, after which the shield will again return to its normalposition under the influence of its weight and the second resilientlyelastic assembly 89.

As an example, the spray shield 24 adapted for use between crop rowsseparated by about 36 to 40 inches (e.g., cotton) can have an overallaxial length of about 28 inches and a normal width between the outersurfaces of the opposite side wall portions 34 of about 28 inches whichcan be changed to a dimension between about 26 to 30 inches by adjustingthe knock down bars 62; the anchor parts in the first set of nozzleanchor portions having the through openings 18a can have their inner andouter surfaces disposed parallel to the longitudinal axis 25 of thespray shield 24 and generally at an angle of about 70 degrees withrespect to the imaginary spray shield bisecting plane 73 describedabove, with the centers of the through openings in the anchor partsspaced about 10.5 inches from the imaginary spray shield bisecting planein opposite directions normal thereto so that the through openings 18aare useful to position the connector assemblies 18 to most effectivelydirect the spray from their nozzles when the side wall portions arepositioned adjacent their minimum spacings by the knock down bars 62;and with the anchor parts in the second set of nozzle anchor portionshaving the through openings 18b can have their inner and outer surfacesdisposed parallel to the longitudinal axis 25 of the spray shield 24 andgenerally at an angle of about 75 degrees with respect to the imaginaryspray shield bisecting plane described above, with the centers of thethrough openings in the anchor parts also spaced about 10.5 inches fromthe imaginary spray shield bisecting plane pane in opposite directionsnormal thereto so that the through openings 18b are useful to positionthe connector assemblies 18 to most effectively direct the spray fromtheir nozzles when the side wall portions are positioned adjacent theirmaximum spacings by the knock down bars 62.

As another example, if the spray shield assembly according to thepresent invention is adapted for use between crop rows separated by onlyabout thirty inches (e.g., cotton) it can include a spray shield 90having the slightly modified configuration illustrated in FIG. 10 andcan have an overall axial length of about 28 inches and a normal widthbetween the outer surfaces of its opposite side wall portions 94 ofabout 20 inches which can be changed to any dimension between about 18to 22 inches by adjusting knock down bars in the assembly; the first setof anchor parts having the through openings 98a can have their inner andouter surfaces disposed parallel to the longitudinal axis of the sprayshield 90 and generally at an angle of about 70 degrees with respect tothe imaginary spray shield bisecting plane described above, with thecenters of the through openings 98a in the anchor parts spaced about 6.5inches from the imaginary spray shield bisecting plane in oppositedirections normal thereto so that the through openings 98a are useful toposition the connector assemblies 18 to most effectively direct thespray from their nozzles when the side wall portions 94 are positionedadjacent their minimum spacings by the knock down bars; and the anchorparts in the second set of nozzle anchor portions having the throughopenings 98b can have their inner and outer surfaces disposed parallelto the longitudinal axis 25 of the spray shield 24 and generally at anangle of about 75 degrees with respect to the imaginary spray shieldbisecting plane described above, with the centers of the throughopenings 98b in the anchor parts also spaced about 6.5 inches from theimaginary spray shield bisecting plane pane in opposite directionsnormal thereto so that the trough openings 98b are useful to positionthe connector assemblies 18 to most effectively direct the spray fromtheir nozzles when the side wall portions 94 are positioned adjacenttheir maximum spacings by the knock down bars.

As yet another example, if the spray shield assembly according to thepresent invention is adapted for use between crop rows separated byabout 72 inches (e.g., sugar cane) it can include a spray shield 100having the modified configuration illustrated in FIG. 11 and can have anoverall axial length of about 28 inches and a normal width between theouter surfaces of its opposite side wall portions 104 of about 46 incheswhich can be changed to any dimension between about 44 to 48 inches byadjusting knock down bars in the assembly. Because of its width, thespray shield 100 has two pairs of bosses 106 and 107, and means of thetype described above may be attached to each pair of bosses 106 and 107for suspending the spray shield 100 from the frame 11. Also, the sprayshield has only the two trough openings 108. The anchor parts having thethrough openings 108 can have their inner and outer surfaces disposedparallel to the longitudinal axis of the spray shield 100 and generallyat an angle of about 90 degrees with respect to the imaginary sprayshield bisecting plane described above, with the centers of the throughopenings 108 in the anchor parts spaced about 12 inches from theimaginary spray shield bisecting plane in opposite directions normalthereto so that the through openings 108 are useful to position theconnector assemblies 16 or 18 to effectively direct the spray from theirnozzles when the side wall portions 104 are positioned anywhere betweentheir minimum and maximum spacings by the knock down bars.

The present invention has now been described with reference to threeembodiments thereof. It will be apparent to those skilled in the artthat many changes can be made in the embodiment described withoutdeparting from the scope of the present invention. Thus the scope of thepresent invention should not be limited to the structures described inthis application, but only by structures described by the language ofthe claims and the equivalents of those structures.

I claim:
 1. A spray shield assembly comprising a spray shield having anouter surface and an opposite inner surface defining a channel openingthrough an open side of the spray shield, said spray shield comprisingan anchor part having a through opening adapted to receive a connectorassembly of the known type having a rectangular four sided peripheryabout the axis of the connector assembly and spaced radially outwardlyprojecting flanges having predetermined maximum peripheral dimensions,said flanges being positioned on opposite axially spaced sides of saidrectangular periphery; said through opening including a retainingportion defined by three retaining surfaces extending between said innerand outer surfaces adapted to closely receive three of the four sides ofthe periphery of the connector assembly with the spaced flanges of thenozzle assembly adjacent the inner and outer surfaces of the anchorpart, and an entrance portion larger than the periphery of the flangeson the side of the retaining portion not defined by said three surfaces,said entrance portion affording axial movement of the rectangularperiphery of the connector assembly into said entrance portion to aposition where said connector assembly may be slid radially into theretaining portion of the opening; and said spray shield assembly furtherincluding an attachment plate having a retaining edge surface adapted tobe positioned in a retaining position between one of the inner and outersurfaces of the anchor part and the adjacent flange of the nozzleassembly when the nozzle assembly is in the retaining portion of theopening with said retaining edge surface of the attachment plate acrossthe side of the retaining portion not defined by said three retainingsurfaces in the retaining portion; and means for releasably retainingsaid attachment plate in said retaining position.
 2. A spray shieldassembly according to claim 1 wherein said nozzle attachment plate has aslot opening through one edge defined by three edge surfaces includingsaid retaining edge surface, said three edge surfaces being adapted toclosely receive three of the four sides of the periphery of the nozzleassembly, and said nozzle attachment plate has a portion that overlayssaid entrance portion when said attachment plate is in said retainingposition.
 3. A spray shield assembly comprising a spray shield having anouter surface and having an opposite inner surface defining a channelopening through an open side of the spray shield, said spray shieldcomprising an anchor part having a through opening between said surfacesadapted to receive a connector assembly of the known type having arectangular four sided periphery about the axis of the connectorassembly and spaced radially outwardly projecting flanges havingpredetermined maximum peripheral dimensions, said flanges beingpositioned on opposite axially spaced sides of said rectangularperiphery; said through opening including a retaining portion defined bythree retaining surfaces extending between said inner and outer surfacesof said spray shield, which retaining surfaces are adapted to closelyreceive three of the four sides of the periphery of the connectorassembly with the spaced flanges of the nozzle assembly adjacent theinner and outer surfaces of the anchor part, and an entrance portionlarger than the periphery of the flanges on the side of the retainingportion not defined by said three retaining surfaces, said entranceportion affording axial movement of the rectangular periphery of theconnector assembly into said entrance portion to a position where theconnector assembly may be slid radially into the retaining portion ofthe opening; and said spray shield assembly further including anattachment plate having a retaining edge surface adapted to bepositioned in a retaining position relative to said anchor part withsaid retaining edge surface of the attachment plate across the side ofthe retaining portion not defined by said three retaining surfaces; andmeans for releasably retaining said attachment plate in said retainingposition.
 4. A spray shield assembly according to claim 3 wherein insaid retaining position said attachment plate is positioned between oneof the inner and outer surfaces of the anchor part and the adjacentflange of the nozzle assembly when the nozzle assembly is in theretaining portion of the opening.
 5. A spray shield assembly accordingto claim 4 wherein said nozzle attachment plate has a slot openingthrough one edge defined by three edge surfaces including said retainingedge surface, said three edge surfaces being adapted to closely receivethree of the four sides of the periphery of the nozzle assembly.
 6. Aspray shield assembly according to claim 3 wherein said nozzleattachment plate has a portion that overlays said entire entranceportion when said attachment plate is in said retaining position.
 7. Aspray shield assembly according to claim 3 wherein in said retainingposition said attachment plate is positioned between the outer surfaceof the anchor part and the adjacent flange of the nozzle assembly whenthe nozzle assembly is in the retaining portion of the opening.
 8. Incombination:a connector assembly of the known type having a rectangularfour sided periphery about the axis of the connector assembly and spacedradially outwardly projecting flanges having predetermined maximumperipheral dimensions, said flanges being positioned on opposite axiallyspaced sides of said rectangular periphery; a spray shield assemblycomprising a spray shield having an outer surface and having an oppositeinner surface defining a channel opening through an open side of thespray shield, said spray shield comprising an anchor part having athrough opening between said surfaces adapted to receive said connectorassembly, said through opening including a retaining portion defined bythree retaining surfaces extending between said inner and outer surfacesof said spray shield, which retaining surfaces closely receive three ofthe four sides of the periphery of the connector assembly with thespaced flanges of the nozzle assembly adjacent the inner and outersurfaces of the anchor part, and an entrance portion larger than theperiphery of the flanges on the side of the retaining portion notdefined by said three retaining surfaces, said entrance portionaffording axial movement of the rectangular periphery of the connectorassembly into said entrance portion to a position where the connectorassembly may be slid radially into the retaining portion of the opening;and said spray shield assembly further including an attachment platehaving a retaining edge surface positioned in a retaining positionrelative to said anchor part with said retaining edge surface of theattachment plate across the side of the retaining portion not defined bysaid three retaining surfaces; and means for releasably retaining saidattachment plate in said retaining position.
 9. A combination accordingto claim 8 wherein in said retaining position said attachment plate ispositioned between one of the inner and outer surfaces of the anchorpart and the adjacent flange of the nozzle assembly.
 10. A combinationaccording to claim 9 wherein said nozzle attachment plate has a slotopening through one edge defined by three edge surfaces including saidretaining edge surface, said three edge surfaces closely receiving threeof the four sides of the periphery of the nozzle assembly.
 11. Acombination according to claim 8 wherein said nozzle attachment platehas a portion overlaying said entire entrance portion.
 12. A combinationaccording to claim 8 wherein said attachment plate is positioned betweenthe outer surface of the anchor part and the adjacent flange of thenozzle assembly.